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Artemis Fowl: Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer
Artemis Fowl:Time Paradox By Eoin Colfer
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Artemis vs. Artemis. When a past wrong doing is on its way to leading to his mother’s death, Artemis must go back in time to stop his younger self from killing a lemur that could very well save her. Luckily Artemis subscribes to the time travel theory of "I must have already done this and am just doing what I already did" and thus the resulting time paradoxes are… well, oh wait, there are still plenty of paradoxes!
But thus Artemis and Holly must go back in time and battle his younger and far more ruthless self (Artemis realizes he was quite a jerk when he was younger) as they try to stop Artemis the younger’s first step as a criminal mastermind.
I never thought I’d actually ship Holly and Artemis. Sure, there have always been a few undertones and there are certainly fans of the two, but if I was going to ship Holly with any human, it would have been Butler before now. But after this newest book, I now have to say I ship Holly and Artemis. And obviously so does the author. I was wondering throughout the book if Artemis would somehow become part fairy, or Holly part human by the end so the ship could work out. I still wouldn’t be surprised if that happened eventually in the series, since questions of being altered in the time stream, through magic, and via technology have all come up. One more romance note—after all the set-up that Minerva could be a love interest in the last book, I was rather annoyed that she is never even mentioned in this one. Not one word.
Time paradoxes are handled as well as they can be. I’ve always subscribed to the theory as well that if you go back in time to change something, you must have already done it, and you’re just doing what you’re supposed to do. So this book didn’t really make me question the basic premise. Plus, Eoin Colfer writes in such a way that you just want to believe that everything he says is perfectly plausible and he must have seen Foaly’s lab himself.
Upon finishing the book, I was very sad that Eoin Colfer has said it will be awhile before he returns the world. I personally think these books get more and more captivating, though ultimately, number one and three are probably my favorites. I really wish he’d leave Opal alone though; I’m getting tired of her as a villain.
Before reading this book, I decided to speed through all the previous ones. That’s when I noticed that my favorite titles in the series (one and three) are the ones where Artemis is actively laying out a plan and completing it, where as all the rest have him reacting to someone else’s dastardly schemes. I do like Artemis in control; it makes the plots far more interesting to me. Time Paradox was more of a split between him actively controlling or reacting to someone else.
Ratings Reasons:
Action 5 - It took me two days tops to read this book; no slow spots like I sometimes experienced in past Artemis books. The action was breakneck and storylines were masterfully construed.
Romance 4 - As I said before, I now have a ship in the book. Before, I would’ve told you I didn’t care that there was no romance, but now, well, Colfer had better give me some closure!
Characters 5 - By the sixth volume in a series, a book had better be getting a five in characters, or the author just isn’t very good. Like always, I love the main cast and enjoy the secondary. But damn it, Opal is overdone. Very tired of her.
Overall 5 - Hmm, did I like this book? Can you tell from the rest of the review? Now, I’d recommend any Artemis title as a book you must read, but this one is probably now my third favorite.
Extras:
First off, Eoin Colfer has an amazing website that contains as much humor and entertainment as his books. Spend some time browsing and taking in the joy. Next, read Airman. This has to be his next best book after the Fowl series, if not his best one. It’s a mixture of Artemis Fowl and Princess Bride. And my editor for these reviews keeps pointing out I need to read Half Moon Investigations.
If you get a chance, you must attend his road show. Unfortunately, it’s done touring the US, and I can’t find any footage of the whole show, just the trailer. Please e-mail me if you know where to find a video of it. He is a great entertainer, and I laughed like mad the whole time. It was a good show for grown-ups and kids alike. Visit artemisfowl.com for lots of promo video and the daily videos from the road. Be sure to check out Portland, I was there! (Yes, I had to look and see if I showed up in the video, but I didn’t. We were probably five rows back or so.)
Parents: 10 + Not only will these books entertain your kids, but you’re likely to find them hilarious as well.
Apologies in advance for the rambling and the length of this comment.
I read this earlier this month and have been trying to figure out how to review it (meaning I probably won’t review it since I can’t figure out how to do it). So great job with your review!
I was also surprised by the Holly/Artemis thing, though I can’t say I ship them them even now. (Is it wrong that I was totally Holly/Trouble, especially after The Opal Deception?) And, yeah, where was Minerva? Although I suppose since most of the story took place in the past and was very family-centered, it does make a bit of sense.
But what really struck me the most was how dark The Time Paradox was. I mean, wow. I guess I just expect a lot of humor from Colfer, and what humor there was, for me, was overwhelmed by Artemis seeing how awful he was when he was younger and the Extinctionist (that’s what they were called, right?) group. I did like that neat twist at the end, with the callback to Book 1 and explained why fairies? And I agree with we’ve seen way too much of Opal, but from the way the book ended, I’m assuming we’ll be seeing a lot more of her again.
Oh, and what you said about liking it best when Artemis is in control? I used to be on the other side (favorites in order would probably go 4, 2, 1, 3, 5, 6) because I think when Artemis is trying to outduel his opponents is when we see him–and, by extension, Colfer–at his smartest and most brilliant. But since both 5 and 6 fall into this category and are my least favorite in the series (though I still like them), I’m not so sure anymore. Or maybe it’s that Mulch’s role in these two aren’t as big as in the others. Hmm, must think on it.
crichoux reply on November 18th, 2008:
I hadn’t really thought about how dark it was, but you are right. There was more of a dark tone to this book.
And yes, the call back was pretty awesome and a great set-up.
I enjoyed your review and agreed with a number of points. I, too, suscribe to the theory of time as fluid, with all effects of time travel already being felt in the present. After watching countless shows and reading dozens of books that mercilessly demand that we accept that time travel would create parallel time lines and alternate universes, The Time Paradox’s treatment of the theory was refreshing, to say the least. I liked this volume, but was put off by the lack of closure and the very notable abscence of Colfer’s customary humor. I was hoping for Spiro to have been the returning villain for this volume, as I thought he was a pretty fair adversary. And very ruthless. And, well, I still wish that Colfer would use him rather than drag on Opal’s involvement in this series any longer. But I am pretty sure we will have to see some more of her since he left her running around loose, just waiting to wreak havoc on the world, at the end. I hate cliff hangers!!! That is why The Eternity Cube is not one of my favorites. (It would be, otherwise.) ALso, I have, on and off, rather hoped for something between Holly and Artemis, after all the interviews that I’d read and some of the undertones between them in the books. Still, I was more than delighted to have the series have no romance whatsoever. And now that there is somewhat of a burgeoning relationship between Holly and Artemis, well, (after getting over my shock and dismay), I really, really hope that Eoin Colfer gives a real ending to the series, and especially addresses that matter with finality. It made me so depressed to have Holly and Artemis’ relationship basically regress to what it was in The Arctic Incident, if to that level even. Anyway, nice review.
I hope we really don’t have to wait three or four years……
crichoux reply on November 18th, 2008:
Yes, I definitely want an ending! No closure is obnoxious.
I agree with wishing Spiro was back, he did seem like a worthy opponent, and I’m getting so tired of Opal.
hi iv read all of the books and the 6th was good but i agree with trisha on this one. The first 4 books were really cool as you saw artimis gets to know the farie world better. then the 5th was awsome with them showing just how not perfect was the fighting forces in farie world. so my favorits were 2 3 4 and 5. 6 just didnt fit because alot of people thought that artimis would find a way to retern to the present but it was stil good. btw this site is great.
crichoux reply on November 18th, 2008:
thanks for your comments! I need more Artemis books to read!